w211 Front End Wobble
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 194
Likes: 10
From: Orange, CA
'12 528i, '05 E320, '05 Jag XJ8L, '04 CLK500, '03 S600, '92 Jeep Briarwood, '79 Rolls Royce
w211 Front End Wobble
I have a 2008 E350 RWD that I got around Christmas and have been working on since.
The car has 189,0++ miles on the clock. I have had an issue since I got the car where the front end feels like its wobbling. Almost like a warped brake rotor, but not exactly. I can only describe it as a hybrid between a warped rotor combined with a wheel mounted improperly. I feel it wobble slightly when driving, but more so when braking. High speed braking, low speed, rolling to a stop, I feel it.
I have already replaced the brakes and rotors with Mercedes genuine on the front so that cancels out the warped rotors. This issue was here before all parts were replaced. What do you guys think the problem may be?
So far I replaced the following:
Motor mounts (Genuine)
Transmission mount (Genuine)
Front wheel bearing assemblies + grease (Genuine)
Front brake pads & rotors (Genuine)
Front struts & mounts (Bilstein)
Front lower control arms (Lemforder)
Front thrust arms (Lemforder) the bushings were torn badly
Front upper ball joints (Lemforder)
Fuel tank (PZEV Genuine)
Transmission service (3x, Genuine)
Ignition coils (Bosch)
Spark plugs (Bosch)
Air filters (Genuine)
Misc. servicing
Thanks in advance!
The car has 189,0++ miles on the clock. I have had an issue since I got the car where the front end feels like its wobbling. Almost like a warped brake rotor, but not exactly. I can only describe it as a hybrid between a warped rotor combined with a wheel mounted improperly. I feel it wobble slightly when driving, but more so when braking. High speed braking, low speed, rolling to a stop, I feel it.
I have already replaced the brakes and rotors with Mercedes genuine on the front so that cancels out the warped rotors. This issue was here before all parts were replaced. What do you guys think the problem may be?
So far I replaced the following:
Motor mounts (Genuine)
Transmission mount (Genuine)
Front wheel bearing assemblies + grease (Genuine)
Front brake pads & rotors (Genuine)
Front struts & mounts (Bilstein)
Front lower control arms (Lemforder)
Front thrust arms (Lemforder) the bushings were torn badly
Front upper ball joints (Lemforder)
Fuel tank (PZEV Genuine)
Transmission service (3x, Genuine)
Ignition coils (Bosch)
Spark plugs (Bosch)
Air filters (Genuine)
Misc. servicing
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Zach8131; Mar 2, 2020 at 04:46 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
E320 CDI
I have a 2008 E350 RWD that I got around Christmas and have been working on since.
The car has 189,0++ miles on the clock. I have had an issue since I got the car where the front end feels like its wobbling. Almost like a warped brake rotor, but not exactly. I can only describe it as a hybrid between a warped rotor combined with a wheel mounted improperly. I feel it wobble slightly when driving, but more so when braking. High speed braking, low speed, rolling to a stop, I feel it.
I have already replaced the brakes and rotors with Mercedes genuine on the front so that cancels out the warped rotors. This issue was here before all parts were replaced. What do you guys think the problem may be?
So far I replaced the following:
Motor mounts (Genuine)
Transmission mount (Genuine)
Front wheel bearing assemblies + grease (Genuine)
Front brake pads & rotors (Genuine)
Front struts & mounts (Bilstein)
Front lower control arms (Lemforder)
Front thrust arms (Lemforder) the bushings were torn badly
Front upper ball joints (Lemforder)
Fuel tank (PZEV Genuine)
Transmission service (3x, Genuine)
Ignition coils (Bosch)
Spark plugs (Bosch)
Air filters (Genuine)
Misc. servicing
Thanks in advance!
The car has 189,0++ miles on the clock. I have had an issue since I got the car where the front end feels like its wobbling. Almost like a warped brake rotor, but not exactly. I can only describe it as a hybrid between a warped rotor combined with a wheel mounted improperly. I feel it wobble slightly when driving, but more so when braking. High speed braking, low speed, rolling to a stop, I feel it.
I have already replaced the brakes and rotors with Mercedes genuine on the front so that cancels out the warped rotors. This issue was here before all parts were replaced. What do you guys think the problem may be?
So far I replaced the following:
Motor mounts (Genuine)
Transmission mount (Genuine)
Front wheel bearing assemblies + grease (Genuine)
Front brake pads & rotors (Genuine)
Front struts & mounts (Bilstein)
Front lower control arms (Lemforder)
Front thrust arms (Lemforder) the bushings were torn badly
Front upper ball joints (Lemforder)
Fuel tank (PZEV Genuine)
Transmission service (3x, Genuine)
Ignition coils (Bosch)
Spark plugs (Bosch)
Air filters (Genuine)
Misc. servicing
Thanks in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
There's still a few other items in there. Innner and outer tie rod, sway bar link and I'm not sure you did the lower ball joint. Should probably just have a mechanic diagnose it. Of course your set up might be different than mine as I have the AWD and I have things like the lower ball joint plus upper and lower control arms. There are also bushings that go too. The bushings on the sway bar also used to be hard to get but I think there was a thread that covered that. Also check cv joints for damage. Aftermarket CV joints can also cause a vibration.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 194
Likes: 10
From: Orange, CA
'12 528i, '05 E320, '05 Jag XJ8L, '04 CLK500, '03 S600, '92 Jeep Briarwood, '79 Rolls Royce
Should have also mentioned that an alignment was done, the tires are good (Although I want to replace them because they’re off-brand and uncomfy) , and the wheels have been balanced without issue.
tie rods looked ok, as did the lower ball joint on the steering knuckle. No idea about the upper control arms, those are a PITA to do compared to the lowers.
The car does have its quirks not related to the wobble. I have to replace the intake manifold like everyone else.... the oil cooler leaks, as does the pan, and I found out that the power steering pump leaks. They’re small leaks but leaks nonetheless.
tie rods looked ok, as did the lower ball joint on the steering knuckle. No idea about the upper control arms, those are a PITA to do compared to the lowers.
The car does have its quirks not related to the wobble. I have to replace the intake manifold like everyone else.... the oil cooler leaks, as does the pan, and I found out that the power steering pump leaks. They’re small leaks but leaks nonetheless.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
Should have also mentioned that an alignment was done, the tires are good (Although I want to replace them because they’re off-brand and uncomfy) , and the wheels have been balanced without issue.
tie rods looked ok, as did the lower ball joint on the steering knuckle. No idea about the upper control arms, those are a PITA to do compared to the lowers.
The car does have its quirks not related to the wobble. I have to replace the intake manifold like everyone else.... the oil cooler leaks, as does the pan, and I found out that the power steering pump leaks. They’re small leaks but leaks nonetheless.
tie rods looked ok, as did the lower ball joint on the steering knuckle. No idea about the upper control arms, those are a PITA to do compared to the lowers.
The car does have its quirks not related to the wobble. I have to replace the intake manifold like everyone else.... the oil cooler leaks, as does the pan, and I found out that the power steering pump leaks. They’re small leaks but leaks nonetheless.
does the steering wheel shake? You have to watch lazy tire mounters, you might have a bent rim, and still out of balance.
Last edited by ot1; Mar 4, 2020 at 11:02 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 338
Likes: 20
From: Charlotte, NC
2005 E320 CDI, 2015 GLA 250
I did all of the same things at 220,000 miles and still it persisted. The fix was to replace the front lower ball joints. These are very tight and go into the steering knuckle and the Spring Control Arms attach to them. After replacing all four front lower control arms you think I would have got it but these ball joints were the problem.
I'm assuming the rest needed replacing anyway.😀
Peter
I'm assuming the rest needed replacing anyway.😀
Peter
